You've Got to Sign Up for Federal Courts

"I think you really need to take that class with me." I said.

"Prof. Stern? Are you out of your mind?" he answered.

I let out a deep sigh. "All right. Picture this: two years from now you're sitting in your office. A fellow comes in with a sob story. He's just pulled his Granny out of a nursing home. She's got bed sores, been tied in a chair more than once for hours at a time, and has two chipped teeth from where an orderly tried to pry her mouth open while feeding her. He wants to sue for malpractice.

You research this case and find out the nursing home is owned by a corporation that manages a dozen nursing homes in four different states. In short, they've got deep pockets. What's more, there's an ex-employee who is willing to testify about the abuses she's seen--including on this guy's granny. Of course, you agree to sue the bejebus out of them.

Once you serve them with papers, they naturally want the psychological advantage, so they move the case from state to federal court. Now, since you didn't take Prof. Stern's federal courts class, what are you going to do?"

He answered immediately, "Call you."

Now that I think about it, that is a good answer. Ka-ching!